Cierra Ortega Faces Backlash Over Past Racial Slur Usage
LOS ANGELES — Cierra Ortega, a former contestant on “Love Island USA,” has issued an apology following the resurfacing of old social media posts in which she used a racial slur aimed at Asian individuals. Ortega’s exit from the villa occurred just a week before the show’s finale when these posts came to light.
In a nearly five-minute TikTok video, Ortega addressed the Asian community directly, stating she is “deeply, truly, honestly so sorry.” She emphasized that this was not merely an apology video but one of accountability. Ortega expressed her lack of awareness regarding the pain that such a word could cause, stating, “I had no ill intention, but that’s no excuse because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
Just 48 hours back in the United States, Ortega revealed the impact of the backlash on her family, mentioning that they no longer feel safe in their home and have faced challenges, including interactions with immigration authorities. She noted, “There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice.”
Ortega fully supported the decision to remove her from the villa, agreeing that her actions warranted consequences. However, she clarified that she had only learned about the offensive nature of the term after a follower pointed it out following an Instagram story she posted.
Her departure from the villa follows that of fellow contestant Yulissa Escobar, who left the show last month due to similar circumstances involving past comments. In the aftermath of Ortega’s exit, Escobar took to TikTok to speak out against cyberbullying, urging viewers to educate instead of threaten those who make mistakes.
The show, which isolates contestants from the outside world, has previously requested fans to refrain from online harassment of its participants. As “Love Island USA” continues to air its seventh season, contestants face challenges as they vie for love and the ultimate prize of $100,000.
The impacts of social media continue to reverberate in today’s society, highlighting the tension between personal accountability and public scrutiny.
